Mitchell Blair | Riderville.com

REGINA -- Brendan Taman is on the Riders payroll until at least the end of the 2013 season. The organization signed their general manager to a one-year contract extension on Saturday afternoon.

While the deal was just announced on Saturday in Saskatoon during the team’s annual Green and White day in the Bridge City, Rider President and CEO Jim Hopson says it is something that has been on the table for quite a while.

“It’s something we knew we wanted to do. When we started with the new regime, Brendan was focused on getting a coach in place, and staff, and players,” Hopson stated. “He knew that we were committed to him, and it was just a matter of finding some time later in the spring."

Hopson added that this move also brings something key to the front office - stability.

“I thought it was important, not just for Brendan, but for Corey (Chamblin) and the staff as well to know that we had Brendan under contract through this year and next,” Hopson said.

“They have worked hard and made a lot of changes, so I thought it was important for the organization that we have a good GM in place and not have everyone wondering what will happen at the end of this year. Add that to the fact he has worked very hard in the off-season and has done everything we have asked of him. We’re pleased to have him onboard for this year and next and that it’s a good move for the organization both long and short-term.”

As for Taman, he says it’s nice to have the extension now in place, but it’s also something he was never worried about as he went his day-to-day business in rebuilding the football team this year.

“I’ve been focusing on getting this team right and getting the coaching staff in place and getting the players on board,” Taman said.

“To be honest with you I haven’t really keyed in on it, but it’s obviously a nice gesture.”

Taman, who has been with the organization since 2009, had himself a very busy off-season. And as the season inches closer, he, along with everyone else, is interested in seeing just what type of team he’s assembled.

He says it’s been a long off-season with respect to everything; from getting a new head coach to overhauling a roster.

“You have to re-tool after having a bad season,” Taman said. “There was a lot of work behind the scenes to get everything done. I’m just looking forward now to seeing our guys take the field on Wednesday and then evaluate what we have in a game situation.”

While the team hasn’t played a game yet, Taman is encouraged by what he has seen in the first week of training camp.

“You can tell by the way they are practicing that there is a lot of energy out there and a lot of new stuff going on. It’s pretty invigorating and it’s pretty exciting,” Taman admitted.

“We’ve had a lot of change and anytime you do that, it takes some time to gel so overall its coming together pretty nice and we will learn a lot on Wednesday.”